Origin (Scales 'n' Spells 1)

But falling for the guy with the magical eyes and sexy smile had been the start of finding the life he wanted. The life that fit him perfectly. Maybe he’d been overthinking this. Being in love with Alric was like any other relationship, really. Cameron would figure it out in time, but the thing he needed to focus on was that he wanted to be good to Alric. He wanted, more than anything, to make that man happy and enjoy him to the fullest. Dieter’s advice was to do that, to focus on that first and foremost. And really, it was good advice.

Cameron would focus on Alric’s heart and try his damnedest to enjoy being in love with that incredible man.

Taking a deep breath, Cameron blew it out again, ruffling his own hair. “Ugh, you’re right. I really should have talked this all through with him. I panicked. I never panic.” Okay, well maybe he panicked occasionally.

“It’s understandable. I doubt you came to Germany thinking you would change your entire life in the span of a few weeks.”

“True. Do you think I hurt him when I panicked?” Guilt cut through Cameron, and he shifted in his seat. He never wanted to hurt Alric.

“Maybe a little, but it’s a good wake-up call for him. His brain needs to finally accept what his heart has been telling him. You’re his mate. Doubting it and fearing it isn’t going to make it less true.”

Cameron turned in his seat, looking back the way they’d come. He couldn’t see the castle any longer. “Should we turn back? Maybe we should go back to the castle. I need to talk to him. Tell him how I feel. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I—” Whatever he’d been about to say broke off at Dieter’s laughter.

“I’d forgotten how cute new mates were,” Dieter said with a chuckle. “We’re not far from the town now. Let’s get your paperwork for the visa, and then we’ll head back. Maybe we can even stop in that bakery he likes for a pastry or two.”

“The one that makes those amazing tarts? Yes, we can get a box of those.” He didn’t want to be away from Alric, but the pastries might help his apology.

“See, you’ve already got this mate thing figured out,” Dieter teased, and Cameron could only roll his eyes at the man.

Dieter wasn’t exactly making it sound like being mates was easy. Only that Cameron might be blowing things out of proportion. Which was entirely possible. It all came down to Alric. Did he want the man? Did he want to build a life with him? Did he want more mornings wrapped in each other’s arms, sharing jokes, and little looks? Did he want the laughter, pain, and a future with Alric at his side?

For all those questions, the answer always came back ‘yes.’ No doubt, no hesitation, no fear. When it came to Alric, the answer was simply yes. The rest they would just figure out.

“What in the world…” Dieter’s voice drifted off as he leaned forward a little, squinting at something in the road. Cameron did the same, but it was so small he wasn’t quite sure what he saw until it was already too late.

Three of the four tires suddenly let out hideously loud bangs and the car skidded across the asphalt as Dieter slammed on the brakes. What the hell had they hit in the road? Freaking caltrops? Cameron’s heart raced in his chest, and he gasped loudly, bracing his feet against the floor and grabbing the handle on the door. His head hit the glass hard and he winced. They hadn’t been going incredibly fast, but it was enough for them to fishtail and slide off the side of the road. The other car behind them also skidded, nearly crashing into them from behind, and missing them by inches.

The car came to a hard stop, the whole world seeming to tilt toward the passenger side. Groaning, he rubbed the side of his aching head and glanced at the door. At least he hadn’t hit it hard enough to break the glass.

“Are you okay?” Dieter asked.

“Yeah. Shaken, but I’m fine. You?”

“I’m fine. Old dragons are tough.” He flashed Cameron a smile that didn’t reach his pale grey eyes. He was worried. Cameron forced himself to smile in return, not wanting to add to Dieter’s worries. “I’m going to check out what happened. I want you to stay in the car and call Alric. Tell him to send down some help. Even if it’s Ravi in his dragon form. I want to get you back to the castle as quickly as possible.”

The offer to get out of the car and help him sat on the tip of Cameron’s tongue, but he swallowed it back. With everything happening, it was safer for him to remain inside.